Tootoo tapped for NHL

IQALUIT — Jordin Tootoo has hit the big leagues.

On Sunday the 18-year-old Rankin Inlet resident became the first Inuk and the first Nunavut resident to be drafted into the National Hockey League.

Tootoo, a fiery 5-foot-9 right-winger, was the first player picked in the fourth round of the draft, going to the Nashville Predators.

“When I got the call I was speechless. I was shivering,” said a giddy Tootoo, speaking from his home in Brandon, Man., on Tuesday. “I’m still on Cloud 9.”

Tootoo said he’s been flooded with congratulations from Nunavummiut.

“Hopefully I opened up doors for young kids in Nunavut,” he said. “They’ll have somebody to look up to and say, ‘If he can do it, I can do it.’”

Tootoo will head to Nashville in July for the Predators’ summer camp. Then he’ll return to Brandon, Man., where he’ll continue as captain of the CHL’s Wheat Kings and wait to be officially called up by Nashville, probably in two years.